Brisbane Broncos get back into form with 30-10 win over South Sydney

BRISBANE have found glimpses of their best form and got their top four hopes back on track courtesy of a 30-10 win over a lacklustre South Sydney outfit

NOTHING was ever going to stop a Broncos fightback.

Not Origin weariness, not another backline injury and especially not a possible extortion scandal.

From the moment Brisbane ran on to the field, led by star fullback Darius Boyd, it was clear they had a point to prove.

And while it was not pretty, the Broncos finally breathed some life back into their season with a gritty 30-10 victory over the Rabbitohs.

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It will come as a much-needed boost for Brisbane, who before the clash at ANZ Stadium had only won one of their last six matches.

But the victory did not come without plenty of trouble.

Just hours before kick-off, it was revealed that one of Brisbane’s stars was at the centre of yet another NRL extortion scandal, with a Sydney man trying to sell a video that allegedly shows the player using cocaine.

Souths slumped to yet another defeat.

Thankfully for the team, it was not something that was going to distract them.

Brisbane was able to put the rumoured drug revelations behind them to seal the win.

And their solidarity was obvious as they all walked off together at half-time, some with their arms wrapped around each other.

However, the bad news did continue for them on the field with versatile back Jordan Kahu taken from the game in the 25th minute after injuring the pectoral muscle that he tore just five weeks ago.

The match was Kahu’s return to the field, which the Broncos desperately needed given they also have backs Jack Reed, Greg Eden and Tom Opacic in the casualty ward.

Coach Wayne Bennett was proud of how his team responded to the match and the reshuffle, saying it will put them in good stead to “come back” into the competition.

“I thought they were good. They weren’t brilliant but I didn’t expect that coming off a couple of weeks of losses,” he said.

Lachlan Maranta celebrates a try with his Broncos teammates. Picture: Mark Evans

“We just wanted to get back and start completing again and doing the little things better.

“The signs were good and it will give us more confidence next week. That will pick them up again.”

With a four-forward interchange, Alex Glenn was able to move into the centres from the back row, with Sam Thaiday playing 73 minutes and Adam Blair staying out there for the full 80.

It was a particularly impressive showing from Thaiday, who played for Queensland just three days ago in the Origin series finale.

Oates thundered over for two tries.

He barely showed any signs of fatigue, making 28 tackles and running for 73m off 11 runs.

It was a great effort, especially given the Broncos were already missing skipper Corey Parker to suspension and fellow forward Matt Gillett to a shoulder injury.

The Broncos will also have to sweat on judiciary results however, with Andrew McCullough on report for a high tackle on Angus Chrichton in the second half.

It will be vital for Brisbane now to continue this winning form, especially as they prepare to come up against former coach Anthony Griffin and his Panthers side at Suncorp Stadium next week.

With the extortion scandal sure to drag out, and Kahu facing another lengthy stint on the sideline, the team will have to band together over the coming days to ride out what could be another tough time for the club.

Originally published as Brisbane Broncos get back into form with 30-10 win over South Sydney